"Do You Have Any Job Prospects Yet?"

It’s funny how you hear stories about how going to a family holiday party when you’re older is a horrific experience full of questions like, “Are you dating anyone?” or “How old are you now?”  But if you are a senior like me, then you can relate to hearing the most terrifying question of all…”So, do you have any job offers lined up after graduation, honey?”

*Insert hyperventilating, instant panic attack, hot flashes, slight crying, etc. here* 

(Source: Google)

If your answer to the previous questions was “yes” then great, you should be proud.  If your answer was “no,” you are not alone, I am right there with you and I’m going to tell you why it’s okay (through musical song titles because music is how I relax).

1. I’m Not The Only One by Sam Smith

While your significant other may not be cheating on you like Sam Smith says in the song, you are still not the only one.  As I just stated, every person our age is most likely feeling the pressure to find a job at this time, so confide in someone you trust to vent to.

2. Time of Our Lives by Pitbull & Ne-Yo

As Pitbull would say, “Have me a good time, before my time is up.”  College only happens once, so it’s important to remember to live in the moment!  Enjoy every experience the last semester has to offer and make sure you aren’t stressing so much about the job search that you are missing out on making memories. 

3. Elastic Heart by Sia

After three and a half years of college, you’ve built “thick skin and an elastic heart.”  So don’t get discouraged if you are applying to companies that aren’t answering you or respond saying you’re under-qualified; at least you’re putting yourself out there!

4. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

“Don’t be getting down about all the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world when you could’ve been getting down to this sick beat.”  There is no shame in taking a break from your everyday searches on LinkedIn, Monster, Indeed, etc.  Sometimes a dance party solves all problems.

5. The Heart Wants What It Wants by Selena Gomez

By now you probably have some idea of what kind of PR you want to take on as job whether that is fashion, corporate, tech, agency, etc.  Make sure to go after jobs in your niche, don’t settle for something that you are going to end up hating.  Follow your heart; the more passionate you are about what you do, the more you have to offer to the company.

6. Jealous by Nick Jonas

Do not be like Nick Jonas and get jealous.  One of my supervisors at my previous internship gave me advice that has stuck with me: “Don’t worry about what other people are doing!”  Nobody likes a green-eyed monster, so when your friends land awesome jobs, congratulate and celebrate with them!  Don’t let it stress you out or over-think your job-hunting situation.

7. Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift

Despite what Taylor may have to say, you are NOT out of the woods yet.  You still have classes to pass and internships to complete before you receive that diploma.  Dedicate as much time to your school work as you are your job search.

If all else fails, remember that just like Queen B, you are ***Flawless!  Things have a funny way of working themselves out.  You worked hard these past few years by getting involved, completing internships, making great connections and becoming a young #PRofessional ready to take on the real world!  Good luck and enjoy your last few months of college!  If you would like more advice on the senior year job search, click here.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Kaylie Corallo.  You can follow her @kayliecorallo.

Time to Fly

To the PRowl seniors, thank you for a setting a good example

For making the impossible seem possible

For teaching us more about ourselves 

then we ever knew possible.

To our mentors, thank you for leading us

For becoming our role models

For setting the bar high and

then telling us how to reach it.

To our friends, thank you for being there

For holding our hands

For coaching us through and 

then celebrating when we succeeded.

Congratulations to all our PRowl seniors. It's your time to fly.

Ben Coleman | Tessa Cohn

Ransford Whaumbush | Jenna Stern

Allison Curran | London Faust

Former Firm Director, Kaitlyn Sutton

The Best Way to Successfully Negotiate A Salary

You just applied, interviewed, and were offered a new position that you couldn’t be more excited about. But after taking a look at the current salary offered, you decide that it may be in your best interest to try and ask for a little bit more.  

However, negotiating a salary can be a difficult and sometimes nerve-wracking task.  Negotiating or “bargaining” as it’s sometimes called, is not a skill that comes easy to many individuals. Those just starting off in a new position may feel like it is not appropriate, but in actuality it’s important to negotiate a little as it can be an opportunity to show your employer what you’re made of. Also, if you feel like your abilities do not reflect the amount you are being paid, there is no harm in having this type of conversation. Just be aware that if you decide to move forward with this to keep in mind the saying of “putting your money where your mouth is.” If you’re asking for more money, you better be able to back it up with those same skills.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and hold your own, remember that they came to you with an offer and you should not forget that! Use this negotiation time to shine, and prove that they made the right choice in hiring you.

To make sure you get what you deserve, here are a few vital tips to help prepare for the situation:

1)  Ask: Without asking you will get nowhere! Organize both your talking points and argument and go for it.

2) Do your research: Find out what others in your position make, talk to recruiters, and review similar job postings.

3) Know your worth: Be familiar with your own skills and if they exceed the job position you have been offered. If you know you can make a greater impact that is worth noting.

Good luck and let the negotiations begin! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Jenna Stern.

A Checklist For Seniors

As the summer winds down, I can’t help but reflect on the fact that I will be entering my final year of college. Just as many freshman entering college for the first time set goals for getting involved, trying new things and making an impact, it is crucial for seniors to have a similar mentality. Even though time in college may be nearing its end for seniors, it is now that motivation should be at its highest! Here is a basic checklist for seniors to follow entering their final year as an undergraduate.

1.  It’s Never Too Late:

I’ve seen countless friends and peers become hesitant of joining new clubs and organizations in school simply because they will be upperclassmen and feel it is too late. It is never too late to join something new! A full school year is plenty of time to make an impact!

2.  Don’t Lose Motivation:

By now, most seniors have only a handful of classes left to take. It is easy to fall into the trap of going on “cruise control” for the final two semesters of school. Strive to do better than ever before and you will be better prepared after graduating to take the leap into the professional world!

3.  Mentor:

As a senior you have lots of offer. You’ve had a great deal of experiences socially, scholastically and emotionally during your first few years of college. Use that experience and wisdom to help underclassmen by taking on leadership positions or by simply being willing to lend a helping hand to younger students.

4.  Enjoy It!

If there is anything in college that I’ve noticed the most, it is that time will fly by. Don’t take a single day for granted in your senior year and make each day count!

For those entering senior year, enjoy the final weeks of summer and embrace this final opportunity to make a lasting impact in your school community!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Chris Krochak.

Taking Advantage of Senior Year

The summer is quickly coming to an end, and like always, that means it’s time to return to campus and start an exciting new year. For many of us, this time of year is especially thrilling because we are finally seniors! It seems like our journey to graduation has only just begun, but now there are only months left before we put on our caps and gowns and finish our degree. Although it seems that everything is finally falling into place, there is still much to be done. Come May, we will be thrown out into the real world, without another year of undergrad looming ahead, but with loans to pay off and interviews to endure. Although senior year is the time to live it up and enjoy college to the fullest, it is also time to prepare for our future and get our foot in the door.

If you haven’t had an internship yet or even thought about it, it’s time to do that immediately! Most employers will not even look at an application or offer an interview with little to no work experience. Even if the internship is not paid (which most aren’t) its time to commit a few hours of your time a week to gain some experience and have something to put on your resume. If you don’t know where to start looking for one, ask a faculty member or advisor for advice—they usually have many connections and may even be able to help you obtain a position. It would also be a good idea to sign up for Temple’s listserv because many internship opportunities are sent around weekly.

If you are interning, that’s a great start, but don’t stop there! If you have connections or know of people you would like to connect with, set up an informational interview. Taking advice from people in the PR profession is a great way to get your career started. Get to know people in the area and collect as many business cards as possible! You can never know too many people in the industry and most professionals can spare a few minutes of their day to grab a cup of coffee and point you in the right direction.

Get involved! If you are not part of any student organizations or clubs, senior year is not too late! Take advantage of all Temple has to offer and join something soon! Most clubs or organizations are a great way to network with people of your major or similar interests, and as I said before—you can never have too many connections. Plus, being part of student groups looks great on your resume and that may set you apart from many other applicants applying for the same job position come May.

Use this time to perfect your resume. Get rid of the accomplishments you had in high school and list all you’ve done in the past four years. Focus on what will set you apart from hundreds of other applicants and include your academic achievements. There are people reviewing resumes all day, and if yours doesn’t stand out dramatically, it may never get noticed.

These are just a few tips on taking advantage of your senior year. Don’t forget to have fun, but use this time wisely—May is just around the corner!


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kaitlin Tully.